Key stuck in lock on Chrysler Minivans

Some Chrysler minivans experience a problem with a key stuck in lock where the user cannot turn the key in the ignition lock cylinder, or they can turn the tumblers but the key will not release. Sometimes it takes brute force to get the cylinder to turn. But before you try that, you may as well give this procedure a try: Jack the vehicle up to remove weight off the front wheels. That frees up the rack and produces a little slack in the steering column. Try a hardware store and buy a dental pick and a can of spray Teflon dry lube. Insert the nozzle next to the key and shoot a couple shots into the lock cylinder. Then use the dental pick to try and push the pins up and down so they lubricate. Then try rotating the cylinder.

If you get it to rotate and get the key out, IMMEDIATELY replace the cylinder with a new one. The old one is toast and it’s going to give you trouble again in the future. The spray was just to coax the sticking tumbler to move a bit.

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